PKR is disheartened by the racial rhetoric and malicious slander employed by the opposition to influence sentiment in the Sungai Bakap by-election, said Nurul Izzah Anwar.
The party’s vice-president said it was disappointing that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) had resorted to such tactics to influence voters.
“Regardless, we must strive to bring back debates, information sessions and efforts focused on core issues such as public welfare, children’s education and infrastructure development and to ensure balanced development between mainland Penang and the island,” she said last night.
“The decision made by the voters is respected. We embrace the challenges. We must now navigate to ensure we make the necessary changes for the good of the people,” said Nurul Izzah.
Her remarks came after Pakatan Harapan’s defeat in the Sungai Bakap by-election. The coalition’s candidate, Joohari Ariffin, 60, lost to Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abidin Ismail, 56, who won with a majority of over 4,000.
The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS on May 24.
There were 39,279 registered voters in the by-election with a low voter turnout of 63% – below the expectations of Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who wanted at least 75% for the national unity coalition to be competitive in the by-election.
The demographics were 59% Malays, 22% Chinese and 17% Indians as well as 0.71% others. – July 7, 2024.
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